E.T. Wright

E.T. Wright & Company founded operations in 1876 in Rockland, Massachusetts, remaining family-owned for three generations. The company built its reputation on quality construction and the proprietary Arch Preserver arch support system, which became the brand's defining feature. Early union-made Arch Preserver shoes achieved quality standards comparable to contemporary high-end Florsheim products, positioning the company as a respected American shoe manufacturer.

The Arch Preserver technology featured a distinctive bump in the middle of the ball of the foot, creating unique support characteristics that required brief adjustment periods for new wearers. This arch support system distinguished E.T. Wright footwear in the marketplace and contributed to customer loyalty through the brand's prime decades.

The company maintained domestic production and quality standards into the 1980s, when economic pressures led to introducing English and later Spanish-made products. This outsourcing marked the beginning of quality decline, as manufacturing moved away from the Massachusetts facility that had defined the brand's craftsmanship reputation.

Financial struggles intensified through the 1980s and 1990s, culminating in acquisition by Mason Shoes in November 1998. The firm operated as a subsidiary of a larger conglomerate for approximately a decade before ceasing operations in 2009, concluding 133 years of shoe production.

E.T. Wright produced dress shoes emphasizing the Arch Preserver arch support system across oxford, derby, and loafer styles. The company manufactured shoes primarily in traditional leather constructions, focusing on conservative business and casual dress footwear rather than fashion-forward designs.

The Perma-Spike golf footwear line represented specialized production targeting golf market requirements. First used in commerce on November 7, 1969, Perma-Spike featured spiked plates, spiked soles, and spiked heels specifically engineered for golf shoes. The trademark was filed in August 1970, protecting this distinctive product category that expanded the company's market reach beyond traditional dress footwear.

Golf shoes represented technical specialization requiring different construction and materials than standard dress shoes, demonstrating E.T. Wright's manufacturing versatility during peak production years. The combination of dress shoes with Arch Preserver support and specialized golf footwear with Perma-Spike technology illustrated the company's dual-market approach throughout its operational history.